There is established in the Department of Health and Human Services a National Health Professional Shortage Clearinghouse. It shall be the function of the Clearinghouse to provide information to, and maintain listings of,

(1) communities and areas with health professional needs, and

(2) prospective health workers interested in such opportunities.

(b) Information and listing services available without charge

Information and listing services performed by the Clearinghouse shall be provided free of charge to all interested health professionals and to all communities and groups within the areas determined by the Secretary under section
294n(f)[1] of this title to have a shortage of and need for health professionals.

(c) Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to establish, operate, and maintain the Clearinghouse created by subsection (a) of this section.

Section
294n of this title, referred to in subsec. (b), was in the original a reference to section 741 of act July 1, 1944. Section 741 of that Act was omitted in the general revision of subchapter V of this chapter by Pub. L. 102–408, title I, § 102,Oct. 13, 1992, 106 Stat. 1994. Pub. L. 102–408enacted a new section 776 of act July 1, 1944, relating to acquired immune deficiency syndrome, which was classified to section
294n of this title and was subsequently renumbered section
2692 and transferred to section
300ff–111 of this title.

Change of Name

“Department of Health and Human Services” substituted for “Department of Health, Education, and Welfare” in subsec. (a) pursuant to section 509(b) ofPub. L. 96–88, which is classified to section
3508(b) of Title
20, Education.